JC Student’s Racist Pranks Spark Debate On Schools And Education

A Yishun Innova JC student got the infamy he wanted when a video of him pretending to be a terrorist dressed in traditional Arab garb went viral overnight. The prank was ironically done on Racial Harmony Day. The male student in question is currently assisting the police with investigations according to TODAY.

The incident happened on 21 July, which ironically coincides with racial harmony day in Singapore. His antics were condemned by the public, saying that it was tasteless and a copy of an old prank by the Jalals. They are a famous TikTok trio from Melbourne who gained infamy for doing similar pranks.

The original prank by the Jalals depicted a man doing similar acts while dressed in Arab garb complete with the keffiyeh.

There was one where he even dropped a fake sparkler bomb onto an unsuspecting victim in a public toilet cubicle.

The 29 second video showed the teenager enacting all the stereotypical tropes of terrorism like dropping bombs in the classroom…

Source: Facebook, Singapore Incidents

…to kidnapping and beheading people, complete with a black bag over their heads.

Source: Mustsharenews

Netizens called out the student for being insensitive and childish despite being a JC student.

Source: Facebook, Mothership

While some commentators blamed the school, it is debatable if the entire institution should be held responsible for the actions of one foolish student who thought the pranks were ‘harmless fun’. Schools have been teaching the importance of racial harmony and respecting cultural sensitivities since the primary level.

Source: Facebook, Mothership

One argued that it is a part of growing up and that everyone has done questionable acts in their youth. Children consume a lot of content on social media and may not have the maturity to understand them properly.

The pranksters probably thought it would be ironically funny to pull such a stunt on racial harmony day but ended up learning a lesson the hard way.

There’s always a teachable moment in any prank that went wrong. In this particular incident, perhaps it is good to remind these pranksters to exercise the cultural and religious sensitivity that is the core of Singapore’s society.

Farain, an anti-racism educator who has written children’s books, had some thoughts about the incident. Farain explained that even though students have access to terrorism-related content and events online, they still need well informed adults to help them unpack it.

She also said that the pranksters should not be punished too harshly as it can instead be a teachable moment.

“We should focus on becoming more comfortable and confident discussing bias, prejudice, racism, and oppression with children and youths without the guilt and shame involved in the conversations.”

Farain concluded by saying that adults should partner with the young to create a future the next generation deserves.

When dealing with incidents like these, there needs to be a balancing act. On one hand, the boy should be made an example of to drive home the message that such behaviour is unacceptable. On the other hand, he’s a young and naive boy who needs the chance to grow and learn from his mistakes.

Perhaps it should be a priority to re-educate them on the importance of racial harmony and to not blindly emulate pranks they see online.

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